​HISTORY OF WGSRF (CWSA/ACEF)

What follows is a partial history of WGSRF (under the name Canadian Women's Studies Association/l'association canadienne des études sur les femmes) since its inception in the early 1980s, including a listing of the members of the executive and a chronology of some of the highlights over the years. Note that over the years the organizational structure of the association has often changed, with the result that some old positions have gone, while some newer ones are now included. As this history is only partial, please do send any additional information or corrections/amandments you may have to the website manager, so we can continue to update our history.

2013-14President: Annalee Lepp, University of Victoria (2012-14)President Elect: Marie Lovrod, University of Saskatchewan (2013-14)Secretary: Heather Hillsburg, Lakehead University (2013-15)Treasurer: Rhiannon Bury, Athabasca University (2012-14)Member at Large #1 – Coordinators’ Liaison: Ilya Parkins, University of British Columbia Okanagan (2012-14)Member at Large #2 – Conference Liaison: Susanne Luhmann, University of Alberta (2013-15)Member at Large #3 - Membership: Heather Latimer, University of British Columbia (2012-14)Conference: Brock UniversityConference Program Chair/Co-Chair: Susanne Luhmann, University of Alberta (and Ann Braithwaite, University of Prince Edward Island)Conference Local Organizer: Wendee Kubik and Shannon Moore (Brock Uuniversity)

2014-15President: Marie Lovrod, University of Saskatchewan (2014-16)Secretary: Heather Hillsburg, Lakehead (2013-15)Treasurer: Heather Latimer, University of British Columbia (2014-16)Member at Large #1 – Coordinators’ Liaison: Annalee Lepp, University of Victoria (2014-16)Member at Large #2 – Conference Liaison: Susanne Luhmann, University of Alberta (2013-15)Member at Large #3 - Membership: Rachel Hurst, St. Francis Xavier University (2014-16)Communications: Haley Turnbull, McMaster University (2013-15)Conference: University of OttawaConference Program Chair/Co-Chair: Susanne Luhmann (University of Alberta)Conference Local Organizer: Christabelle Sethna; Jessica Dunkin (University of Ottawa)

2015-16President: Marie Lovrod, University of Saskatchewan (2014-16)President Elect: Allyson Jule, Trinity Western University (2015-16)Secretary: Ilya Parkins, University of British Columbia Okanagan (2015-17)Treasurer: Heather Latimer, University of British Columbia (2014-16)Member at Large #1 – Coordinators’ Liaison: Annalee Lepp, University of Victoria (2014-16)Member at Large #2 – Conference Liaison: Corinne Mason, Brandon University (2015-17; resigned after one year)Member at Large #3 - Membership: Rachel Hurst, St. Francis Xavier University (2014-16)Communications: Communications: Shannon Stettner, University of Waterloo and Tatjana Takseva, Saint Mary’s University (2015-17)Conference: University of CalgaryConference Program Chair/Co-Chair: Corinne Mason, Brandon; Marie Lovrod, University of SaskatchewanConference Local Organizer: Rebecca Sullivan, University of Calgary

2016-2017​President: Allyson Jule, Trinity Western University (2016-2018) President Elect: N/ASecretary: Ilya Parkins, University of British Columbia Okanagan (2015-17)Treasurer: Heather Latimer, University of British Columbia (2016-2018)Member at Large #1 – Coordinators’ Liaison: Annalee Lepp, University of Victoria (2016-2018)Member at Large #2 – Conference Liaison: Marie Lovrod, University of Saskatchewan (2016-2017) Member at Large #3 - Membership: Ann Braithwaite, University of Prince Edward Island (2016-2018) Communications: Shannon Stettner, University of Waterloo and Tatjana Takseva, Saint Mary’s University (2015-17)Conference: Ryerson University (May 27-31, 2017)Conference Program Chair: Marie Lovrod, University of SaskatchewanConference Local Organizer: Amina Jamal, Ryerson University

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

1982

CWSA/ACEF is founded at the Learned Societies' Conference in Ottawa

The first entry on its first “Running Acct” sheet is dated July 30, 1982, and is identified as “Deposit for beginning expenses- provided by S. Van Kirk from women’s studies funds available to her” -- $100.00.

First newsletter produced, autumn 1982. Francis Early, in the “Anglophone Co-ordinator’s Report” on the first page, indicates that the membership has more than doubled since June, and now stands at 121 individual memberships and 9 institutions. Although 15% of the membership is francophone, they are having difficulty recruiting a francophone co-ordinator.

Lesbian Caucus newsletter included in fall ‘87 newsletter: “We agreed that our goals are to increase lesbian visibility and to encourage research on lesbians and the inclusion of lesbian material in courses. In other words, teaching, research and networking. We want to make the presence of lesbians visible in the CWSA and push for lesbian content on the CWSA program, We need to encourage work on lesbians because having a place to present work makes a difference. We also need to ask for the integration of lesbian content into regular sessions.” - Sharon Stone, York University

Lesbian Caucus goals: lobby women’s studies professors to get lesbian content in courses; ask for a position on the executive of CWSA (achieved in ‘88); raise $ to support graduate research on lesbians, newsletter to be distributed two time a year

1988

University of Windsor conference; appears to have been the first time that bilingual sessions are available (English and French). "Concepts of Self in Literature and What They Mean for Feminist Theory" (joint session)

Deborah Poff suggests that the CWSA be affiliated with a learned journal; most agree to be part of the Resources for Feminist Research / Documentation sur la recherche feministe; finalized at a later date

CRIAW conference highlights lesbian issues as a sub-theme for the first time

Lesbian Caucus established at June AGM; Janice Ristock is the first rep.

1989

Conference at Université Laval, Québec.

1990

University of Victoria, British Columbia, conference. "Women Changing Academe."

Sandra Kirby drafts a Code of Ethics for CWSA and publishes it in Winds of Change in Academe

Women of Colour Caucus newsletter included in fall newsletter: “It was agreed ... that the caucus should provide contexts for women of colour to get to know each other as persons, colleagues and as researchers.” - Vanaja Dhruvaragan, University of Winnipeg. “Organizing as women of colour in academia is a potentially powerful means of sisterhood and solidarity. The potential will be fulfilled with great recognition of ‘third wave’ feminist praxis and with solid structural support fot he caucus” - Farah Shroff (Nov. ‘92)

Mention of using e-mail for communication in spring newsletter; also a request to create a computer symposium

Lesbian Caucus is the first to suggest that child care is covered at the conference

1992

University of PEI conference; joint sessions sponsored by the Society for Socialist Studies and the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association

Student Caucus established; Brenda Ponic (Memorial University) is the first rep.: “Why have a student caucus? Because several students who attended the Learneds believed that bridging the barriers between students and professors in a systematic way should be a philosophical foundation of Canadian Women’s Studies meetings, programs, and publications. Students are a disempowered group within academia. Having a student caucus is one mechanism whereby students can work to ensure that CWSA meetings, such as the Learneds, are accessible and supportive of women entering academia, and that the CWSA is there for students to share their research and ideas."

Creation of Publications Committee; ‘92 to look at the formation of publications policies (for conference or to journal?). Weaving Alliances/Tisser les liens.

1993

Carleton University conference. "Women's Studies: Academic Discipline, Political Engagements and Future Directions;" one day devoted to requirements and contents of proposed MA and PhD Women’s Studies programs in Canada

Sub-committee created at AGM to look at chilly climate at Canadian universities

1994

University of Calgary, Alberta, conference

CWSA members organize an International Women’s Studies conference hosted by Ottawa University

CWSA decides to assume the administration of Atlantis, an Atlantic Canadian based women’s studies journal (was temporarily suspended, so CWSA stepped in)

AGM becomes focused on the place and power of different caucuses (ie. student and lesbian), visibility, funding, etc.

University of Ottawa conference: “Women’s Studies: At the Cutting Edge?” Cyber Committee created to keep CWSA apprised of issues of concern to women and the new communications technology

CWSA/ACEF launches a website

Please notify the website manager of any errors or omissions in the above historical listing of members of the WGSRF executive or in the association's chronology of events, or if you have any information to be added.